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Police & Loved Ones Ask For Public's Help In Overtown Shooting

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MIAMI(CBS4)---Miami Police and grieving loved ones are asking for the public's help in a shooting spree in Overtown last Sunday night that left four people wounded and claimed the life of a 17-year-old youngster.

The father of that victim---Julian Bryant---said he has been unable to sleep ever since the incident happened.

"Every time, I wake up, I can't get any sleep right now. He is not there. He is not with me," said Horace Bryant, whose son died this week after being shot in the leg and arm when gunfire erupted outside an apartment building at N.W. 2nd Ave. and N.W. 13th St.

The victims who ranged from 17 to 54 years old were all together in a courtyard outside the building. A BOLO or be-on-the-lookout bulletin has been issued for a black SUV that police said was involved in the shooting and that took off northbound after the incident.

There is no description of the shooter or shooters in this case.

"I was totally shocked when I heard that this had happened," Horace Bryant told CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "He just happened to be out there so it just happened. I miss him. He was a good dude. He didn't deserve this."

Police have not been able to determine who the target was. They also said they've had a difficult time getting reliable information from residents and possible witnesses.

Julian Bryant's cousin Tawana Virgin and sister Ortisha Holt also spoke during a family appeal at Miami Police headquarters.

"He was all I had. He meant a lot to me. It was just the two of us," said Ortisha Holt. "I'm asking please that you come forward. You can remain anonymous. You don't have to give your name. He took everything that I had. It would mean a great deal to know this would be solved. It would be relief."

Ortisha Holt said her family was no stranger to tragedy.

She said her mother Crystal Holt was killed in July of 2001 in Southwest Miami-Dade when Ortisha was eight years old and when Julian was three years old.

"She was stabbed 27 times," said Ortisha Holt.

Tawana Virgin said, "We lost one of our kids. He had such a smile. This makes no sense. And retaliation is not what anyone is looking for. It would mean everything to me to
solve this."

Miami Police Detective John Rusinque said "We have no idea who was involved. People are very skeptical to tell us who may have been involved or if they saw a vehicle. We don't know the target was."

He said it was not clear if the incident was connected to other recent shootings in Miami.

"You have a 17-year-old youngster who lost his life and four other victims who would like to see justice," he said.

Rusinque said "it's important to catch the people who did this shooting. They have no remorse and if they can shoot into a crowd like this, they can shoot anyone else."

Miami Police identified the other victims as Derrick Collie, 22, Marvin Lewis,23, and
Deandre Banjamin,27. They said they have been released from the hospital.

The oldest victim---54-year-old Rodney Keaton---is still at Jackson Memorial Hospital after his daughter told us he was shot in the back and leg and had bullet fragments in his chest.

Anyone with information should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305)
471-TIPS (8477).

There's a reward of up to $3,000 in this case.

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